Take These Steps to Add Years to Your Life

The number of Americans who celebrate their 100th birthday is increasing. It jumped about 44 percent from 2000 to 2014.

Want to aim for those triple digits? Take these key steps to boost your chances.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Get support to quit with programs such as the American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine, 800-586-4872 (800-LUNGUSA). Also, remove cigarettes and ashtrays from your house. While quitting may be difficult at first, keep at it. The effort is worth the health benefits.

Beat Heart Disease

Heart disease is a major killer of both men and women in the U.S. Unfortunately, you can’t tell by how you’re feeling that your blood pressure or cholesterol is high. So get them checked. If your doctor prescribes medication, take it as directed. Doing so can help keep your heart healthy.

Reduce Portion Sizes

Weight is a big obstacle to living longer. More than one-third of Americans are obese. But even losing just a few pounds, if you need to, can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, another potentially life-shortening condition. Losing weight by eating less and exercising can also reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.